It didnt take her long to realize how lawyers help people too.
It’s not just a case with facts.
I’m very sensitive to that.
My husband takes care of the household and our 3- and 17-year-olds needs while also working a full-time job.
Im in my 40s, so I have to keep my digestive tract in order.
Then I start to review my case for court today.
Todays judge has multiple counties and he does them all on Zoom.
8 a.m.:I call my client, who isgoing through a divorce, ahead of court.
Weve discussed these things before, but its a condensed conversation from what we’ve prepared.
Sometimes clients have last-minute questions, like “Can I get on my phone?”
or “Is this background OK?”
8:45 a.m.:I log into Zoom court and wait for it to start at 9 a.m. That’s my ritual, whether Im in person or online.
The length of time varies I’ve had hearings that started at 1 and went until 5:30.
The court has a very hard job.
They have to decide which cases to hear first and which ones they think are going to be quick.
They call the faster cases first.
10 a.m.:Zoom court is over, and I take a break before going back to my desk.
I zone out for a little bit before I have to be focused again.
10:30 a.m.:Right now, I have about 20 clients.
I like being a family law attorney because Im connected to the clients.
I make a run at not open emails until I’m ready to respond.
Sometimes they involve research, and sometimes it’s just an update.
I also get emails like “Hey, my ex is doing this.
Can I do this?”
Its almost anything youd think someone could ask during a divorce process.
Noon:Now, I have my Continuing Legal Education (CLE) online.
I have way more hours than I need, but I love learning.
I can only draft legal documents after I’ve met with the client.
Then we get our final divorce decree.
When the judge renders it and we have to draft it, that takes more than five hours.
But it’s part of the process its part of being an attorney.
It’s a long process.
These cases can take six months to a year.
2:30 p.m.:Now, I have an in-person consultation with a potential client.
Ive gotten their basic information ahead of time, so this is them telling me their story.
It’s a little therapeutic.
Even though I dont practice now, I am a therapist.
I love feeling like I get to help people, that people open up to me.
I’m privileged and honored that people will share a very sensitive topic with me.
Well also get into the reason for the case, and I give them legal advice.
On my end, Im looking out for how well I can communicate with this person.
Are they out to just punish the other person?
Because the child’s the center of the case.
2:45 p.m.:Next, I take a 15-minute break and go back to answering emails.
I get my client’s approval to go ahead and e-file the petition I drafted.
I ask that my clients approve everything before I file it.
I have another call with a client, and I receive my clients approval for theSAPCRorder that I drafted.
Then I send that over to the opposing party.
4 p.m.: Now, Im making TikToks.
Sometimes making videos is my release after being so technical, factual, and precise.
So I decided to have a go at put someeducational videosout there.
I made my first 10 or so videos private because they were terrible.
I was super awkward and was just learning how to use the app.
I’m seeing thatmillennials arent afraid to be transparentabout what they’re going through.
Millennials don’t have as much shameabout it as my older clients do.
I’m so happy I’m out of it, but I spent 50 years in this."
Sometimes people regret it.
But millennials are just like, “I’m out.
There’s a little less judgment about getting divorced.
We don’t have that much time on this Earth.
5:15 p.m.:I go to the gym and edit TikToks while Im on the bike.
I was going to download some of those editing apps, but that’s way over my head.
So I just record them in the app.
Recently, I’ve been trying to do transitions.
Ill start at home when I’m about to go to bed and I’m using my phone.
Then the next day, I’ll finish the transition at work.
At the gym, I’ll add my words.
I venture to always multitask as much as possible.
6:30 p.m:I go home and shower.
Now, it’s family time!
7 p.m.:Its playtime, where we dance, sing songs, and have snacks.
We have bath time, and I get the little one ready for bed.
My husband does an excellent job.
I’m very blessed.
I’ve been trying to read my Bible for inspiration before bed.
This is my evening routine my family time.
I love our fun evenings together.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onApril 15, 2022
